Gaza Starvation Crisis Deepens: Netanyahu’s Claims Contradicted as Deaths Mount and Aid Falls Short

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s assertion that “no one in Gaza is starving” is being widely contradicted by international data, witness accounts, and even former U.S. President Donald Trump, as evidence of a deepening humanitarian catastrophe continues to emerge. Speaking Sunday in Jerusalem, Netanyahu claimed there was “no policy of starvation” and that sufficient humanitarian aid was entering the territory.

However, President Trump on Monday voiced strong disagreement, citing images of “very hungry” children from Gaza. Despite Israel’s recent announcement of humanitarian pauses and increased aid measures over the weekend, residents report little to no improvement on the ground. The UN describes the efforts as a temporary, one-week scale-up.

The grim reality is underscored by rising mortality rates. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported Sunday that 63 malnutrition-related deaths occurred in Gaza this month, including 24 children under five – a stark increase from 11 deaths in the previous six months combined. Gaza’s Health Ministry, widely considered a reliable source by the UN, puts the monthly total even higher at 82 deaths, with 14 reported in the past 24 hours alone. The Patient’s Friends Hospital, northern Gaza’s primary center for malnourished children, is now seeing deaths in children without pre-existing conditions, while adult deaths are exacerbated by starvation.

Acute malnutrition rates have tripled in northern Gaza this month, affecting nearly one in five children under five, and doubled in central and southern areas, overwhelming the territory’s few specialized treatment centers. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) has warned of famine for months.

Aid delivery remains critically hampered. Despite Israel’s announced 10-hour daily humanitarian pauses, UN World Food Program (WFP) spokesperson Martin Penner reported Monday that 55 trucks of aid were looted by starving people before reaching WFP warehouses. Airdrops, another Israeli measure, are deemed insufficient and dangerous. Palestinians are calling for a return to the UN-led distribution system, noting that Israeli forces have reportedly fired on people attempting to reach aid, an accusation Israel denies, stating it fires warning shots.

The UN and partners reiterate that truck deliveries are the most effective method, yet restrictions persist. While Israel states 95,435 trucks have entered since the war began (averaging 146 per day as of July 21), this is far below the 500-600 trucks the UN deems necessary. Moreover, the UN reports that over half of its aid movement requests have been denied or impeded by the Israeli military in the last three months, and convoys face swarming by hungry crowds and armed gangs due to lack of security, after Hamas-run police escorts were targeted by Israeli airstrikes.

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